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Mature Consumer Awareness and Attitudes Toward Retirement Housing and Long‐Term Care Alternatives
Author(s) -
GIBLER KAREN MARTIN,
LUMPKIN JAMES R.,
MOSCHIS GEORGE P.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of consumer affairs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.582
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1745-6606
pISSN - 0022-0078
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-6606.1997.tb00829.x
Subject(s) - variety (cybernetics) , business , long term care , government (linguistics) , marketing , standardization , personal care , term (time) , housing industry , public economics , public relations , nursing , economics , medicine , linguistics , philosophy , physics , chemistry , family medicine , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence , computer science , political science , law
The retirement housing and long‐term care industries have been responding to the needs of aging consumers by developing a wide range of housing facilities and personal care services. The increasing variety of long‐term care options is expected to better satisfy the heterogeneous needs of older consumers. Results of a national study and qualitative research suggest that many present and potential consumers of supportive housing and long‐term care services do not have a good understanding of these offerings. Many are unaware of the alternatives available. Mature consumers often perceive all long‐term care negatively as nursing homes. The proliferation in the variety of housing and long‐term care services and the lack of standardization in labeling products may be contributing to the misunderstanding of various options. This misunderstanding leads to consumers not obtaining the housing and long‐term care services best suited to their needs. Government agencies, consumer interest groups, and housing and long‐term care providers can help to differentiate products and educate consumers to better serve their needs.